People are really trusting when it comes to dating. Think about it. Convicts could do so much under the pretense of a “date”. “Hi there, woman I’ve never met. Mind if I come to where you live, at night, pick you up, and then take you to wherever the hell I want? Be ready at exactly 6:30. Oh, also, be sure you look really nice. It would also be courteous if nobody else was home when I come to your house, you know, so it won’t be awkward or anything. Oh, what? No, it’s okay, because it’s a date.”

While I love taking women out to dinner and such, I always feel a little weird when she agrees to let me come pick her up. Really? Don’t you want some sort of insurance that I’m not insane? Maybe you can go visit my parents or something first. They’re like me, but older, and divorced.

I suppose any excitement in life comes with some sort of inherent risk. This risk seems kind of high compared to the reward, though. Only a fraction of first dates leads to something more. However, during the date, you are risking a lot: your safety, your nerves, your Saturday night. More importantly, though, your safety. Maybe first dates should be accompanied by a third party. Or each participant could take a friend. This would also eliminate that awkward moment before the hug at the end of the night. Or it would make it worse, depending on how weird your friends are.

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